Florida Fortune Teller Accused of $25M Fraud

One victim allegedly gave the fortune teller over $20 million

The trial of Rose Marks, a Florida fortune teller accused of $25 million fraud, started on Monday. The first witness will take the stand Wednesday.

Marks, 62, has over a dozen victims testifying against her in the trial. Included in the victims is Jude Deveraux, who is the author of 37 New York Times bestsellers. Deveraux’s publicist claims that Marks swindled her out of $20 million by preying on her personal problems. The indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office accuses Marks of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering and filing a false tax return.The U.S. Attorney’s Office request a judgment of $25 million, which is allegedly the amount that Marks fraudulently obtained. According to her attorney, Fred Schwartz, Marks has psychic powers that have been in her family for over 1,500 years. Schwartz claims that Marks isn’t responsible for some of the charges against her, reports ABC News.

Marks and some of her female family members went by the name “Joyce Michaels” when they met clients or talked with them over the phone.